Vehicle-Based Parking Inventory for Sensor-Free Occupancy Tracking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining parking space occupancy, especially in truck parking lots, are inefficient and often require significant infrastructure or hardware, leading to inaccuracies in tracking available spaces.
Innovation Solution
A method and system using on-board devices in vehicles to collect and transmit position information to a central data processing unit, which maintains a parking lot inventory by adding or removing identification features based on vehicle entry and exit, allowing for accurate determination of space occupancy without additional sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are installed in parking spaces to determine occupancy, then measurement precision of parking space occupancy is improved, but device complexity and implementation effort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary approach by using vehicle-based detection systems (cameras, sensors in vehicles) rather than installing infrastructure sensors in parking spaces. The vehicle's own detection systems are used to determine if a parking space is occupied, mediating between the vehicle and the parking space management system without requiring physical sensors in the parking infrastructure itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing vehicles to autonomously detect and report their own parking status. The vehicle's detection systems and communication equipment automatically determine occupancy and transmit this information to the central system, eliminating the need for external sensors to monitor each parking space.
2Device complexity
If vehicle-based detection systems are used to determine parking occupancy, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and reliability of occupancy detection decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple detection functions into a unified vehicle-based system. The vehicle's existing detection systems (cameras, proximity sensors) are combined with communication equipment to perform both vehicle navigation and parking occupancy detection functions, achieving reliable occupancy detection without additional infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle equipment serves multiple functions: it detects parking space occupancy, communicates with the central system, and can be used for other vehicle operations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for specialized infrastructure while maintaining detection reliability through the vehicle's robust existing systems.
3Productivity
If real-time position information is transmitted for every vehicle movement, then productivity and responsiveness of parking information system is improved, but use of energy and communication data transmission increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic action by transmitting position information only at relevant moments (when entering or leaving parking spaces) rather than continuously. The on-board device determines position periodically and transmits data selectively based on whether a parking space change has occurred, reducing energy consumption while maintaining real-time accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary determination of position information and only transmits data when necessary. The on-board device calculates position in advance and compares it with previous positions to determine if transmission is needed, avoiding unnecessary energy expenditure on continuous communication.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A computer-implemented method and system for maintaining an inventory of a parking lot with multiple parking spaces are disclosed. Upon completion of a trip, an on-board device sends stored position information along with an identification feature to a central location. The central location checks whether the motor vehicle is located in a parking lot and records the identification feature or a pseudonym derived from the identification feature in an inventory of the parking lot. After the trip is resumed, the identification feature or, if applicable, the pseudonym is removed from the parking lot inventory.